2022–23 Wyoming Cowboys basketball team

The 2022–23 Wyoming Cowboys basketball team represented the University of Wyoming during the 2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cowboys were led by third-year head coach Jeff Linder and played their home games for the 41st season at Arena-Auditorium in Laramie, Wyoming. They participated as members of the Mountain West Conference for the 24th season.

2022–23 Wyoming Cowboys basketball
ConferenceMountain West Conference
Record9–22 (4–14 MW)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaArena-Auditorium
Seasons
2022–23 Mountain West Conference men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No. 18 San Diego State 15 3   .833 32 7   .821
Boise State 13 5   .722 24 10   .706
Utah State 13 5   .722 26 9   .743
Nevada 12 6   .667 22 11   .667
San Jose State 10 8   .556 21 14   .600
New Mexico 8 10   .444 22 12   .647
UNLV 7 11   .389 19 13   .594
Colorado State 6 12   .333 15 18   .455
Fresno State 6 12   .333 11 20   .355
Air Force 5 13   .278 14 18   .438
Wyoming 4 14   .222 9 22   .290
Conference tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll

Previous season

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The Cowboys finished the 2021–22 season 25–9, 13–5 in Mountain West play to finish in fourth place. In the Mountain West tournament, the Cowboys defeated UNLV in the quarterfinals[1] before losing to Boise State.[2] The Cowboys received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015 as a No. 12 seed.[3] They were defeated by Indiana in the First Four.[4]

The team also spent time ranked in the AP Poll for the first time since 2015. They were ranked #22 for the week of February 14.

Offseason

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Departures

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Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Reason for departure
Drake Jeffries 0 G 6'5" 186 RS Senior Mattoon, IL Declared for 2022 NBA draft
Deng Dut 2 G 6'4" 192 Junior Melbourne, Australia Elected to transfer to Southern Utah
Eoin Nelson 11 F 6'10" 229 Junior Dublin, Ireland Elected to transfer to North Alabama
Ben Bowen 40 G 6'5" 170 Freshman Highlands Ranch, CO Elected to transfer to Denver
John Grigsby 55 F 6'9" 211 Sophomore Louisville, CO Elected to transfer to Concordia

Incoming transfers

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Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Previous School
Jake Kyman 13 G 6'7" 213 Junior Aliso Viejo, CA Transferred from UCLA. Kyman will be eligible to play immediately under the one-time transfer rule.
Ethan Anderson 20 F 6'1'' 208 Junior Los Angeles, CA Transferred from USC. Anderson will be eligible to play immediately under the one-time transfer rule.
Max Agbonkpolo 23 G/F 6'9'' 196 Junior Laguna Niguel, CA Transferred from USC. Agbonkpolo will be eligible to play immediately under the one-time transfer rule.

2022 recruiting class

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US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Caden Powell
C
Waco, TX Midway HS 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 206 lb (93 kg) Sep 8, 2021 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPNN/A   ESPN grade: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2022 Wyoming Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  • "2022 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 30, 2022.

Roster

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2021–22 Wyoming Cowboys men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
G 0 Nathanial Talich (W) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 191 lb (87 kg) Fr Cheyenne Central HS Cheyenne, WY
G 1 Brendan Wenzel 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 204 lb (93 kg) Jr Utah San Antonio, TX
F 10 Hunter Thompson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) RS Sr Pine Bluffs HS Pine Bluffs, WY
G/F 13 Jake Kyman 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 213 lb (97 kg) Jr UCLA Aliso Viejo, CA
F 15 Nate Barnhart 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 190 lb (86 kg) RS Fr DeSoto HS Lenexa, KS
G 20 Ethan Anderson 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 208 lb (94 kg) Jr USC Los Angeles, CA
G 21 Noah Reynolds 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) So Notre Dame HS Peoria, IL
G 22 Kenny Foster 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 187 lb (85 kg) Sr Smoky Hill HS Aurora, CO
G/F 23 Max Agbonkpolo 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 196 lb (89 kg) Jr USC Laguna Niguel, CA
G 24 Hunter Maldonado 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 202 lb (92 kg) RS Sr Vista Ridge HS Colorado Springs, CO
F 25 Jeremiah Oden 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 201 lb (91 kg) Jr Sunrise Christian Academy Chicago, IL
G 31 Cort Roberson (W) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 157 lb (71 kg) RS Fr Stanwood HS Arlington, WA
F 33 Graham Ike   6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 255 lb (116 kg) Jr Overland HS Aurora, CO
F 44 Caden Powell 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 206 lb (93 kg) Fr Midway HS Waco, TX
G 53 Xavier DuSell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 199 lb (90 kg) Jr Arizona Compass Prep Scottsdale, AZ
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster

Statistics

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Max Agbonkpolo 16 6 16.0 .376 .300 .688 2.8 0.8 0.6 0.4 5.4
Ethan Anderson 21 17 24.9 .540 .313 .466 4.3 2.9 0.3 0.2 7.9
Nate Barnhart 20 3 11.2 .568 .357 .714 1.9 0.3 0.3 0.5 2.6
Xavier DuSell 31 20 26.0 .398 .422 .700 2.6 0.5 0.7 0.1 8.0
Kenny Foster 17 3 18.0 .547 .300 .739 2.4 0.4 0.2 0.1 4.8
Jake Kyman 18 1 12.6 .367 .268 1.000 1.6 0.6 0.4 0.1 4.5
Hunter Maldonado 29 29 34.6 .481 .338 .753 4.8 4.0 1.4 0.3 15.6
Jeremiah Oden 30 19 24.6 .443 .344 .697 3.6 0.8 0.6 0.5 9.6
Caden Powell 28 0 8.5 .462 .000 .586 2.0 0.2 0.2 0.3 1.9
Noah Reynolds 19 10 24.9 .481 .329 .662 2.2 2.1 0.4 0.2 14.5
Cort Roberson 4 0 1.5 .000 .000 .750 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.8
Hunter Thompson 26 26 28.2 .342 .303 .853 5.5 1.0 0.5 0.5 6.6
Brendan Wenzel 24 21 28.8 .370 .406 .884 3.8 0.9 0.5 0.3 7.9

Preseason

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Greek Tour

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The team went on a 10-day foreign tour of Greece from July 24 to August 4. NCAA rules allow programs to take international tours once every 4 years; this was the programs' first since 2016-17.[5][6][7]

The Cowboys participated in 3 exhibition games, winning all 3. While in Athens, the team faced Panerythraikos B.C. on July 27 and Panathinaikos Select on July 28. They then traveled to Patras and faced off against Promitheas Patras B.C. on July 30.[5][6][7]

In addition, the team participated in a variety of sightseeing and team-building exercises.[5][6][7]

Schedule and results

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Date
time, TV
Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Non-conference regular season
Nov. 7, 2022
7:00 p.m., MW Network
Colorado Christian W 102–69  1–0
 17  Oden   6  Tied   8  Anderson  Arena-Auditorium (4,464)
Laramie, WY
Nov. 10, 2022
8:00 p.m., MW Network
Nicholls W 79–68  2–0
 20  Wenzel   8  Tied   6  Maldonado  Arena-Auditorium (4,498)
Laramie, WY
Nov. 13, 2022
2:00 p.m., MW Network/ATTSN
Southeastern Louisiana L 72–76  2–1
 16  Wenzel   11  Maldonado   4  Tied  Arena-Auditorium (4,782)
Laramie, WY
Nov. 18, 2022
1:15 p.m., ESPN3
vs. Howard
Paradise Jam Quarterfinals
W 78–71  3–1
 28  Maldonado   4  Tied   3  Anderson  Sports and Fitness Center (1,524)
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Nov. 20, 2022
3:45 p.m., ESPN3
vs. Drake
Paradise Jam Semifinals
L 56–61  3–2
 20  Maldonado   6  Thompson   3  Anderson  Sports and Fitness Center 
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Nov. 21, 2022
3:45 p.m., ESPN3
vs. Boston College
Paradise Jam – 3rd-Place
L 48–59  3–3
 11  Anderson   5  Tied   2  Tied  Sports and Fitness Center 
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Nov. 30, 2022
2:00 p.m., Cowboy Sports Network
vs. Santa Clara
Sport Tours Showdown
L 85–89 OT 3–4
 25  Reynolds   6  Agbonkpolo   7  Anderson  Bruin Arena 
Taylorsville, UT
Dec. 3, 2022
2:00 p.m., MW Network/ATTSN
Grand Canyon L 58–66  3–5
 16  Kyman   8  Thompson   4  Maldonado  Arena-Auditorium (4,472)
Laramie, WY
Dec. 6, 2022
7:00 p.m., MW Network
Texas A&M-Commerce W 91–76  4–5
 30  Reynolds   12  Wenzel   3  Maldonado  Arena-Auditorium (3,953)
Laramie, WY
Dec. 10, 2022
7:00 p.m., MW Network
Louisiana Tech W 92–65  5–5
 20  Tied   5  Tied   7  Maldonado  Arena-Auditorium (4,604)
Laramie, WY
Dec. 17, 2022
6:00 p.m., CBSSN
vs. Dayton
Legends of Basketball Showcase
L 49–66  5–6
 20  Reynolds   5  Foster   5  Maldonado  United Center 
Chicago, IL
Dec. 21, 2022
6:30 p.m., ESPN+
vs. Saint Mary's
Jerry Colangelo Classic
L 54–66  5–7
 21  Reynolds   8  Anderson   1  Tied  Footprint Center 
Phoenix, AZ
Mountain West regular season
Dec. 28, 2022
9:00 p.m., CBSSN
at Fresno State L 53–58  5–8
(0–1)
 16  Reynolds   9  Anderson   3  Maldonado  Save Mart Center (4,165)
Fresno, CA
Dec. 31, 2022
2:00 p.m., FS1
No. 22 New Mexico L 75–76  5–9
(0–2)
 17  Anderson   10  Maldonado   5  Anderson  Arena-Auditorium (4,823)
Laramie, WY
Jan. 7, 2023
2:00 p.m., CBS
San Diego State L 75–80  5–10
(0–3)
 20  Maldonado   7  Oden   3  Tied  Arena-Auditorium (4,346)
Laramie, WY
Jan. 10, 2023
8:30 p.m., FS1
at Utah State L 63–83  5–11
(0–4)
 20  Maldonado   8  Oden   5  Anderson  Smith Spectrum (7,890)
Logan, UT
Jan. 14, 2023
9:00 p.m., FS1
Boise State L 68–85  5–12
(0–5)
 13  Reynolds   6  Anderson   4  Maldonado  Arena-Auditorium (4,178)
Laramie, WY
Jan. 17, 2023
7:00 p.m., MW Network/Altitude2
at Air Force L 74–82  5–13
(0–6)
 26  Reynolds   6  Barnhart   6  Reynolds  Clune Arena (1,257)
Colorado Springs, CO
Jan. 21, 2023
2:00 p.m., FS1
Colorado State
Border War
W 58–57  6–13
(1–6)
 17  Reynolds   8  Thompson   5  Maldonado  Arena-Auditorium (6,968)
Laramie, WY
Jan. 24, 2023
9:00 p.m., CBSSN
at UNLV L 72–86  6–14
(1–7)
 23  Reynolds   8  Thompson   4  Maldonado  Thomas & Mack Center (4,539)
Paradise, NV
Jan. 31, 2023
8:00 p.m., FS1
Fresno State W 85–62  7–14
(2–7)
 18  Thompson   10  Oden   8  Maldonado  Arena-Auditorium (3,950)
Laramie, WY
Feb. 4, 2023
8:00 p.m., CBSSN
at San José State L 64–84  7–15
(2–8)
 34  Maldonado   4  Tied   3  Maldonado  Provident Credit Union Event Center (2,609)
San Jose, CA
Feb. 8, 2023
8:30 p.m., FS1
UNLV L 59–69  7–16
(2–9)
 17  Maldonado   9  Barnhart   3  Maldonado  Arena-Auditorium (3,717)
Laramie, WY
Feb. 11, 2023
6:00 p.m., CBSSN
at Boise State L 63–79  7–17
(2–10)
 14  Tied   5  Powell   3  Maldonado  ExtraMile Arena (11,037)
Boise, ID
Feb. 14, 2023
8:00 p.m., CBSSN
New Mexico W 70–56  8–17
(3–10)
 20  Maldonado   10  Maldonado   10  Maldonado  The Pit (11,185)
Albuquerque, NM
Feb. 17, 2023
8:00 p.m., FS1
Air Force L 69–75  8–18
(3–11)
 22  Maldonado   7  Thompson   7  Maldonado  Arena-Auditorium (4,719)
Laramie, WY
Feb. 21, 2023
7:00 p.m., CBSSN
Utah State L 55–65  8–19
(3–12)
 21  DuSell   9  Maldonado   5  Maldonado  Arena-Auditorium (3,894)
Laramie, WY
Feb. 24, 2023
7:00 p.m., FS1
at Colorado State
Border War
L 71–84  8–20
(3–13)
 23  Maldonado   6  Maldonado   6  Wenzel  Moby Arena (8,083)
Fort Collins, CO
Feb. 27, 2023
7:00 p.m., CBSSN
Nevada W 80–71  9–20
(4–13)
 28  Oden   13  Thompson   Maldonado  11  Arena-Auditorium (4,520)
Laramie, WY
Mar. 4, 2023
8:00 p.m., CBSSN
at No. 18 San Diego State L 50–67  9–21
(4–14)
 17  Oden   5  Tied   3  Foster  Viejas Arena (12,414)
San Diego, CA
Mountain West tournament
March 8, 2023
4:00 pm, Stadium
(11) vs. (6) New Mexico
First round
L 76–87  9–22
 36  Maldonado   9  Thompson   3  Maldonado  Thomas & Mack Center (-)
Paradise, NV
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Mountain Time.

Source[8]

References

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  1. ^ "UNLV vs. Wyoming - Game Recap - March 10, 2022 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "Wyoming vs. Boise State - Box Score - March 11, 2022 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  3. ^ "Wyoming earns NCAA Tournament bid as No. 12 seed against Indiana Hoosiers in First Four". The Denver Post. March 13, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  4. ^ "Indiana vs. Wyoming - Game Recap - March 15, 2022 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Cowboy Cagers Set for Trip to Greece". University of Wyoming Athletics. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c "Cowboys Enjoy Themselves On and Off The Court in Greece". University of Wyoming Athletics. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c Tucker, Cody (August 17, 2022). "Cowboys Enjoy Themselves On and Off The Court in Greece". 7220 Sports. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  8. ^ "2022-23 Wyoming Cowboys Schedule". ESPN. Retrieved October 27, 2022.